Sammy “The Sergeant” Vasquez training camp update

Undefeated welterweight contender Sammy “The Sergeant” Vasquez is just over a week away from facing the toughest opponent of his career and he took time out of his camp to give an update on training and more.

Vasquez takes on Los Angeles’ Aron Martinez on Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on FOX and FOX Deportes on Saturday, January 23 at STAPLES Center. Televised coverage is headlined by a welterweight world title battle between Danny “Swift” Garcia and Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero plus a heavyweight contest between 2012 U.S. Olympian Dominic “Trouble” Breazeale and rugged contender Amir “Hardcore” Mansour. Televised bouts begin inside the arena at 4 p.m. PT.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions in association with Swift Promotions, are priced at $300, $200, $100, $50 and $25, not including applicable fees and service charges, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased at AXS.com or by phone at 888-929-7849or at STAPLES Center.

Vasquez has been training at the Triple Threat Boxing Gym in Colorado Springs. Here is what Vasquez had to say about training, his U.S. Army service, Aron Martinez and more:

SAMMY VASQUEZ

“I like training out in Colorado. It’s where I live now and the altitude makes my training even better. The longer I stay out here, the more advantages I get.

“I’m excited to be fighting on the west coast. I love fighting out here. I’m an exciting fighter and I’m fighting a local guy. Hopefully I can win and start building my own fans in L.A.

“Aron Martinez is going to come forward. He puts his head in your chest and tries to wear you out. It’s all about attacking the body. If he wants to be the bull, I’ll be the matador.

“We know his game plan so we’re preparing very well. If he tries to box me, I’ll outbox him all day.

“We’re going to take it one fight at a time. Being in competition for a world title is what we want. All the best guys are in the welterweight division.

“Where I am right now, I’m on the cusp of moving in on the big dogs in the division. I want to fight those guys. I feel like I’m ready to go. You have to take it one fight at a time in this division. It’s all about knocking out a name to get a name.

“I try to use boxing to get anything out there about the military that I can. I’ve been deployed twice and diagnosed with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). PTSD and TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) are very serious things. I’m lucky to be where I’m at right now. I want to push the word out there more. It’s very serious but I’m fortunate enough to be in a position to spread the word.

“I think I’m going to stop him. Between the sixth and the eighth round. We’re going to meet in the middle of the ring. I’ve got more power than he’s used to. Everyone comes forward until they get punched in the face.”